[J_746]

[Vidic15]

Pretty sure that happened mate.

Soccerlens list it.

[Infinitum Nihil]

[J_746]

Time to get this going again seeing as the January window is now open!

Mathieu Valbuena is looking for a way out of Marseille this window. According to his official website & L'Equipe, he is unhappy with the substitute appearances he is making and looking for something more substantial for the future. He has also stated, however, that he does not know what his future holds but has received a few attractive proposals.

According to L'Equipe, Le Mans are looking to recruit Slovakian international goalkeeper Ján Mucha from Legia Varsova to cover the loss of Didier Ovono who wnt to represent Gabon at the African Cup of Nations. Other players on their wanted list include Damien Gregorini (Nancy), Vincent Planté (Saint Etienne) & Rudi Riou (Marseille).

Ligue 2's top goalscorer Olivier Giroud is being tracked by Middlesbrough and Celtic, however he is also attrcting interest from Sochaux, Caen, Monaco, Valenciennes and Montpellier who could all yet make a move. Giroud has yet to comment on whether or not he'd welcome the move at this stage (FranceFootball.fr).

Arsene Wenger has reportedly stated that he will not make a move for Chamakh in the January window due to his contractual ties with Ligue 1 Champions Bordeaux (FranceFootball.fr).

Wigan Athletic midfielder Olivier Kapo is keeping his options open about a return to France. The former Auxerre player has attracted interest from Boulogne in the past few months (FranceFootball.fr).

Le Progres is reporting that Olympique Lyonnais are leading the race to sign highly-rated Croatian defender Dejan Lovren after attending his latest Europa League match. The defender has also attracted interest from England and Italy and could attract a transfer fee of around €7m.

[Vidic15]

May as well get this kick started again.....

Quote

Olympique de Marseille will not be content to sit on their laurels after the conclusion of this season, which looks liable to bring with it the Ligue 1 title, but instead they have been tipped to chase Toulouse forward Andre-Pierre Gignac, according to a report from RMC.

Gignac was hot property in the transfer market last summer, with several of Europe’s biggest sides linked with a potential move for the burly target man. Olympique Lyonnais were hottest on the France international forward’s case, but their interest seems to have cooled for the time being, with Marseille now one of the primary suitors for the striker.

“Who would not want Gignac?” head coach Didier Deschamps is quoted to have asked the media lately, sparking speculation that OM may launch a bid for the €15 million-rated striker.

After top scoring ahead of the likes of Karim Benzema last term, Gignac has had something of a troubled campaign in the Pink City. Adductor problems have hindered his performances, often forcing him out of games altogether, while he has only managed to score seven Ligue 1 goals – less than a third of his tally last term.

Goal.com

Heard this over the weekend as well - would be a solid signing for OM, especially given the need for a new striker.

Also heard OM maybe keen on Le Tallec - but I'd take Gignac anyday over the former Liverpool player.

[Vidic15]

Quote

According to newspaper Sud Ouest, Olympique Lyon are tracking French international playmaker and Bordeaux player Yoann Gourcuff (23), who is worth around 25 million Euros.

Heard anything about this J?

Not convinced Gourcuff is ready for a big move to the EPL or otherwise yet. OL could well be a perfect destination for him, depending on how the situation coaching wise with Bordeaux ends up.

[House MD]

Personally I think moving to the premier league would be a mistake for Gourcuff..

[J_746]

Vidic15, on 13 May 2010 - 06:25 PM, said:

Heard anything about this J?

Not convinced Gourcuff is ready for a big move to the EPL or otherwise yet. OL could well be a perfect destination for him, depending on how the situation coaching wise with Bordeaux ends up.

Not heard anything about this yet. However, it would all depend on the fee. Lyon have made a bid of upwards of €15m for Porto defender Bruno Alves, so that'll take a chunk out of the transfer budget, assuming this year's budget is not going to be as big as last year's. I think a lot of this would also rest on whether Laurent Blanc stays in club management with Bordeaux or moves to the French national job after the World Cup this summer. Gourcuff gets on well with Blanc, but it remains to be seen who'd step in as manager of Bordeaux if Blanc does move on. It may also depend on outgoing transfers from Lyon's midfield. At the moment, the central midfield players either attack or defend. There isn't really a mix in the two. Most of the midfield players Lyon have at the moment are also versatile, much like Gourcuff.

I can't see Gourcuff in the Premier League at this stage of his career. I think once he has some more experience behind him he'd be a solid acquisition for any Premier League club, but at this stage of his career staying in France would be a solid option for him in my opinion.